David Beckham, L.A. Galaxy to fire up footy foray in Vancouver visit

Cam Tucker, Vancouver Sun07.17.2012

L.A. Galaxy star David Beckham balances a soccer ball on his head at the end of practice at BC Place Stadium on Tuesday, July 17, 2012, before their July 18 Major League Soccer game against the Vancouver Whitecaps.Gerry Kahrmann
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Teammates Robbie Keane (left) and David Beckham follow the play during an L.A. Galaxy practice at Vancouver’s BC Place Stadium on Tuesday, July 17, 2012, ahead of the Galaxy’s Major League Soccer match on Wednesdsay against the host Vancouver Whitcaps.Gerry Kahrmann
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L.A. Galaxy star David Beckham dribbles the ball during a team practice at Vancouver’s BC Place Stadium on Tuesday, July 17, 2012, before their July 18 Major League Soccer game against the Vancouver Whitecaps,Gerry Kahrmann
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Forward Robbie Keane of the L.A. Galaxy grabs a ball during the team’s practice at Vancouver’s BC Place Stadium on Tuesday, July 17, 2012, ahead of the Galaxy’s Major League Soccer match on Wednesdsay against the host Vancouver Whitcaps.Gerry Kahrmann
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L.A. Galaxy star David Beckham balances a soccer ball on his head at the end of practice at BC Place Stadium on Tuesday, July 17, 2012, before their July 18 Major League Soccer game against the Vancouver Whitecaps,Gerry Kahrmann
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L.A. Galaxy star David Beckham keeps his eyes on the ball during practice at Vancouver’s BC Place Stadium on Tuesday, July 17, 2012, before their July 18t Major League Soccer game against the Vancouver Whitecaps.Gerry Kahrmann
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L.A. Galaxy star David Beckham balances a soccer ball on his head at the end of practice at BC Place Stadium on Tuesday, July 17, 2012, before their July 18 Major League Soccer game against the Vancouver Whitecaps,Gerry Kahrmann
/ PNG

Forward Robbie Keane of the L.A. Galaxy smiles as he stretches during practice at Vancouver’s BC Place Stadium on Tuesday, July 17, 2012, ahead of the Galaxy’s Major League Soccer match on Wednesdsay against the host Vancouver Whitcaps.Gerry Kahrmann
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L.A. Galaxy star David Beckham during practice at Vancouver’s BC Place Stadium on Tuesday, July 17, 2012, before their July 18 Major League Soccer game against the Vancouver Whitecaps,Gerry Kahrmann
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L.A. Galaxy star David Beckham during practice at Vancouver’s BC Place Stadium on Tuesday, July 17, 2012, before their July 18 Major League Soccer game against the Vancouver Whitecaps,Gerry Kahrmann
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Forward Robbie Keane of the L.A. Galaxy smiles and raise his arms during practice at Vancouver’s BC Place Stadium on Tuesday, July 17, 2012, ahead of the Galaxy’s Major League Soccer match on Wednesdsay against the host Vancouver Whitcaps.Gerry Kahrmann
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L.A. Galaxy star David Beckham kicks the ball during a practice at Vancouver’s BC Place Stadium on Tuesday, July 17, 2012, before their July 18 Major League Soccer game against the Vancouver Whitecaps, before their July 18th game against the Vancouver Whitecaps,Gerry Kahrmann
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Forward Robbie Keane of the L.A. Galaxy practises at Vancouver’s BC Place Stadium on Tuesday, July 17, 2012, ahead of the Galaxy’s Major League Soccer match on Wednesdsay against the host Vancouver Whitcaps.Gerry Kahrmann
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L.A. Galaxy star David Beckham talks to reporters after the team’s practice at BC Place Stadium on Tuesday, July 17, 2012, before their July 18 Major League Soccer game against the Vancouver Whitecaps,Gerry Kahrmann
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Forward Robbie Keane of the L.A. Galaxy stretches during practice at Vancouver’s BC Place Stadium on Tuesday, July 17, 2012, ahead of the Galaxy’s Major League Soccer match on Wednesdsay against the host Vancouver Whitcaps.Gerry Kahrmann
/ PNG

L.A. Galaxy star David Beckham talks to reporters after the team’s practice at BC Place Stadium on Tuesday, July 17, 2012, before their July 18 Major League Soccer game against the Vancouver Whitecaps,Gerry Kahrmann
/ PNG

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VANCOUVER — The show was still going to go on as planned, but now the centre attraction, David Beckham, has officially arrived. Cue the spotlight.

The questions about whether Beckham would indeed be available for the L.A. Galaxy Wednesday when they play the Vancouver Whitecaps at BC Place Stadium (7 p.m., TSN2, Team 1410) were answered Tuesday afternoon, as the internationally acclaimed midfielder arrived in the Olympic city with his teammates and took to the pitch for training.

Beckham, a star in his prime with celebrated clubs Manchester United and later Real Madrid, and former captain of the England's national team, will play in Vancouver for the first time since November 2007, when more than 48,000 fans packed into BC Place to watch him, the Galaxy and the Whitecaps in a friendly.

Things have since changed.

The Whitecaps are now in their second year with Major League Soccer, and BC Place has been open almost nine months after the completion of a $550-million renovation that switched the old dome with a retractable roof, and the old blue seats with vibrant colours of orange, red and grey.

"It looks great, obviously it's a good stadium," said Beckham, decked out in a Galaxy toque and pink shoes, towards the end of his meeting with nearly two dozen reporters Tuesday.

"We're excited about playing in it tomorrow."

Beckham's teammate, Landon Donovan, was a little more heartwarming when asked his thoughts on the matter.

"I love Vancouver. I've been here many times and I've always really liked this city. This is my first time here at [BC Place] since it's been renovated and I think it's fantastic. I think it's going to be a lot of fun tomorrow," said Donovan.

It has almost been a full year since the Galaxy travelled to Vancouver and the former temporary turf at Empire Field for a date with the Whitecaps.

Beckham was unavailable that July 30 evening due to a suspension he received for a yellow card accumulation, which was the result of an infraction for time wasting in stoppage time against the Columbus Crew 10 days earlier.

He's here now. It may be a bittersweet feeling, though.

Beckham was only made available after being left off Great Britain's Olympic soccer team.

Part of London's bid process in getting the 2012 Olympics, the news that he didn't make the Olympic team itself still isn't sitting well with the 37-year-old Beckham, especially with the opening ceremonies now just nine days away.

"Everyone knows my feelings on that," he said, adding he'll still enjoy the Olympics as a fan.

The Whitecaps organization will now reap the benefits, at least when it comes to attendance.

On the pitch might be a different story.

Playing maybe his best soccer in a Galaxy uniform, Beckham scored twice in a 5-3 win over the Portland Timbers Saturday, including a brilliant blast from well outside the 18-yard box that sailed over goalkeeper Troy Perkins.

"Obviously it's always great to score goals," said Beckham, who is on pace for his best season in MLS, with five goals in 16 regular season games. His previous season high in goals with the Galaxy was also five, back in 2008.

"Usually I'm assisting more than scoring. I was happy about the goal the other night ... for a couple of reasons. It was a great goal to score and it got us back into the game pretty quick."

Both of his goals Saturday, in fact, curved brilliantly past the Timbers goalkeeper.

His skills on the pitch are still there, and reasons why he's still a draw at the gate.

The Whitecaps are no exception.

The club announced Tuesday afternoon that Wednesday's Major League Soccer Western Conference regular season showdown is sold out, even after releasing an additional 300 tickets Monday afternoon.

Whitecaps president Bob Lenarduzzi correctly predicted those would be snatched up quickly.

The sellout isn't just about soccer.

It's a combination of Beckham's once greatness in the sport and his celebrity status — his male modelling, marriage to Victoria Beckham of Spice Girls fame and hanging with Tom Cruise — that has has grown since he signed with the Galaxy in 2007.

"Beckham is a brand," said Lenarduzzi in a phone interview last week.

"When I look at the league when he got here and where it is now, it's significant. He has generated a profile for soccer in North America that we would sadly be lacking if he wasn't here."

Attracting capacity crowds while playing on the road has been nothing out of the ordinary for the Galaxy this season.

"I'd say more so for the league ... he's made an impact," said Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena, adding he believes this will be the 10th straight sold-out crowd his team will play in front of on the road.

"He's obviously helped the game in MLS ... attracted a lot of interest all over the country and the league."

The buildup may be a bit too much, according to one member of the Whitecaps.

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